Udupi: The Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), along with other unions staged a protest in front of the Udupi Tahsildhar’s office here on August 9 against the anti-labour policies of the union government.
Addressing the protesters, Vishwanath Rai, Udupi CITU leader said that under the call given by the various trade unions at the national level, protests were being held at various taluk panchayat offices and districts centres against the “anti-labour” policies of the union government and other issues like those relating to farmers and labour. He alleged that the union government was unilaterally amending labour laws to benefit the corporate sector. He urged the government to come up with suitable policies to implement the resolutions of the International Labour Conference to protect daily wage workers, beedi workers from exploitation. He accused the union government of favouring the corporate sector by allowing foreign direct investment in insurance and investment by private companies in public sector companies.
Balakrishana Shetty, State CITU leader also spoke during the protest. He pointed out some of the problems faced by the workers at large and farmers as well. All workers should get a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 per month. Demands such as scheme workers being treated as workers, temporary workers appointed as permanent workers, privatisation of various public sectors, unemployment solution and creation of employment, social security, pension, provident fund and houses, control of price rise, minimum fair price for products of farmers, education right laws and other demands were made by Balakrishna Bhat during the protest.
Leaders of the various unions, Shekar Bangera, Raviraj, Ram Karkada and others were present. Earlier, a procession of workers was held between the Service Bus stand in Udupi and the Bannanje Taluk Office.
